National Forest Products Week, 2003

Proclamation 7723 of October 17, 2003

National Forest Products Week, 2003

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Our forests are a source of pride for our Nation. They
benefit many Americans who depend on healthy forests
for their livelihoods and quality of life. As we
celebrate National Forest Products Week, we recognize
the importance of our forest resources. We remain
committed to sound, commonsense, forest management.

Beyond their scenic beauty, our forests are vital to
our economy and our way of life. Numerous jobs in the
manufacturing and construction industries, as well as
in the forest products industries, rely on the health
and sustainability of our forests. Forests provide
lumber for building our homes, they provide paper for
publishing our books and newspapers, and forests are
the source of many other wood and paper products that
Americans use every day.

We have a responsibility to maintain the health and
productivity of our forests. In the past, forests have
been spoiled by overgrowth, decimated by insects and
disease, and devastated by wildfires. My
Administration's Healthy Forests Initiative will help
prevent this kind of destruction. Aided by this
Initiative, we treated nearly 2.6 million acres of
forests during the last fiscal year to reduce dangerous
overgrowth and restore forest health. This is more than
double the number of acres that were treated 3 years
ago. My Administration is also committed to fulfilling
the promise of the 1994 Northwest Forest Plan to
protect our most sensitive forest areas, while
supporting a viable forest products industry and jobs
in rural America. By encouraging active forest
management and sustainable timber harvesting, we
strengthen our economy and ensure the lasting beauty of
our woodlands.

Recognizing the importance of our forests in ensuring
the long-term welfare of our Nation, the Congress, by
Public Law 86-753 (36 U.S.C. 123), as amended, has
designated the week beginning on the third Sunday in
October of each year as ``National Forest Products
Week'' and has authorized and requested the President
to issue a proclamation in observance of this week.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 19
through October 25, 2003, as National Forest Products
Week. I call upon all Americans to observe this week
with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
seventeenth day of October, in the year of our Lord two
thousand three, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and twenty-eighth.

(Presidential Sig.)B